1. Thirumalirun cholai also known as Azagar Koil:
   
   
   One of 108 Divya Desam.
   
   
   The place is 21 kms from Madurai to north. The temple is within the fort. As we enter we see Karuppanna swamy who is kaval divam of this place.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Sundarajar or Kallazagar and Goddess Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
   urchavar is known as Goddess Sundaravalli. Sthala vruksham is Sandalwood.
   Noopura gangai and Silambu aru.
   
   
   
   Importance: Both main deity and urchavar are with panchayudam.
   
   
   The purana says Lord Yama penanced here to get rid of his curse and was blessed. As a gratitude he prayed to lord, permitting him to do pooja atleast once in a day. He was permitted to do, and they say, the midnight pooja is performed by Yamadarma raja.
   
   
   
   
2. Rakkayi amman:
   
   
   
   This temple is on the top of Azagar malai. We have to climb steps to reach the sanctum. As we start to climb steps, to left muligai vanam is seen. There is a tank on the top hill known as Noopura gangai where they have a dip and worship the goddess.
   
   
   
3. Pazamudircholai:
   
   
   This is One of Six padaiveedu of Subramanya swamy.
   The place is about 25 kms from Madurai and 3 kms from Azagar koil.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Vara siddhi vinayakar in a sanctum, next to him is Subramanya swamy with Valli and Devanai in another sanctum, and in the third sanctum we see Vel.
   Sthala vruksham is Naval maram. Teertham is Saravana poigai.
   
   
   
   Importance: In Arupadai veedu, only here Subramanaya swamy is seen with both Valli and Devanai.
   
   
   Purana says this is the place were Avvai patti was asked for sutta pazam or sudatha pazam by murugan, and finally he appeared in front of her, near the sthala vruksham.
   
   
   Arunagirinadhar sang hymns on Murugan of this place. Originally vel was the only thing here and later the temple was extended. Arunagirinadhar and Nakkirer were blessed by murugan in person.
   
   
   
   
4. Arul migu Adi chokka nadhar temple:
   
   
   The temple is 1000 year old temple, located at Simhakal, Madurai.
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu linga known as Chokkanadhar and his consort known as Goddess Meenakashi. Sthala vruksham is Kadamba Maram.
   
   
   The Purana is Idaikadarwent to palace and he wanted to praise the king by his poem and get reward for it but he was not respected properly. He got hurt and left the palace. He wanted to get out of the city, at this moment chokkar appeared in front of him and asked him to stay back. At the same time Lord Siva wanted to teach a lesson to the King.
   
   
   Next day when King went to worship, the place was empty and he was shocked by the sight. He came to know that Lord Siva was in this place, and he came here to worship Siva. The King pleaded, Idaikadar to apologise and forgive him. The Siva of this place was worshipped by Kubera.
   

1. Irattai Vinayakar
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This temple is on the main road at Thallakulam, Madurai. To the other side of the road we see prasanna venkatachalapathy temple.
   
   
   
2. Prasanna Venkatachalapathi
   
   
   Main deity Prasanna Venkatachalapathy is seen with Goddess Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Urchavar is known as sreenivasar.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The temple dates to Nayakar period of 16th century. Sthala vruksham of the temple is Promogranate.
   
   
   Purana says Nayakar king was not feeling well, and he was unable to worship lord in temple so, he stopped taking food, and he became too week. Lord gave darshan to Nayakar and asked him to, construct a temple, and place his idol to the right side of Hanuman. He disappeared after conveying this message. Nayakar built the temple and named him as prasanna venkatachalapathy.
   
   
   
3. Muthappa Nayanar:
   
   
   This temple is in Surya nagar, Madurai.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity here, known as Periya Marriamman.
   As we enter in, we see Siva lingam to right side, and as we enter in, we see the main sanctum of Goddess marriamman. To the left, huge Yoga Anjaneyar in seperate hall is seen.

This time our christmas vaccation trip was towards Madurai in and around temples, Part of Sivagangai district and Ramanad district. We were six in number and hired a qualis for our trip from Madurai. The trip was of seven days, and it was wonderful trip which i wish to share with everyone.


Madurai is about 450 Kms SW from chennai. The place is well connected by Rail, Road and Air. Good frequency of city bus services available to near by places as well. We started from Secunderabad, AP, and travelled upto Danushkoti and back to our place.


The expenditure worked out to Rs 5000/ per head. This includes train tickets, taxi, room and food. All temples are opened from 5.30Am to 12 noon and 4Pm to 8pm. I have tried to give few important things about the temples which we visited.


This time we were able to cover most of the places as we planned. All temples in Madurai are in connection to the 63 Siva leelas of Lord siva.



Next few posts will be about, temples of Madurai, Thirupattur, Sivagangi and Ramanadhapuram districts.

1. Meenakshi temple:
   
   
   
   One of 275 important Siva temples.
   The temple dates back to 1600BC. The construction of walls and it structure resembles to those of 7th century.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu lingam known as Chokka Nadhar, and his consort, Goddess Meenakshi amman in seperate sanctum. Teertham is Portamari and vaigai.
   Sthala vruksham is Kadamba Maram.
   
   
   
   
   Importance: This is the place were Siva performed his 64 siva leelas. Pandya king was without child and he prayed God. Parvathi came out of fire and was brought by the king. She was named as Thadathagai and was married Siva who ruled the place. Here Goddess is given more importance and one has to visit goddess sanctum first and then Lord Siva's sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   In front of Meenakshi Amman sanctum, we see portamari kulam (tank). Near the tank on the step we see Vibudhi pilliar. We have darshan of Goddess Meenakshi.
   
   
   As we go to Sunderaswarar sanctum, we see Mukkurani pilliar which is huge in size.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We then enter into Kambathadi mandapam
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Here the pillars are carved with huge sculpture, like Agni veerabadharar, Akora veerabadharar, Urrthava thandava moorthy and Badhrakali.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   In the mandapam we see Nandi in a mandapam and a dwajasthambam with gold covering. The pillars of Nandi mandapam are with beautiful carvings of Lord Siva in different forms to huge size. The sculptures are so good the place is always crowded with foreginers. Non hindus are not allowed inside after this place.
   
   
   
   
   
   To he sides of entrance Dwarabalakas are seen which are about 12 feet height and made of single stone. As we enter inside the artha mandapam Nataraja sabha is seen, which is known as Velliampathi. Natarage is made of stone, and it is huge in size. Sivakammi ammai is seen next, to the side of Nataraja. Here he Nataraja has changed his leg posture, to other side, different from regular side, as we see in Siva temples.
   
   
   
   
   The story goes like this King was feeling sad for Nataraja being in the same posture and his leg may pain. So he requested Lord Nataraja to change the leg so that he can relax the other one. Lord Siva obliged for his prayer, and he gives, same darshan for public also as king had the darshan of Lord Nataraja. This is unique feature in the temple. Finally we see Siva in the form of lingam in the main sanctum known as Sundareswarar.
   
   
   
   
   As we come out of the sanctum we see Ellam valla chiiter in different sanctum. The wall, of main sanctum is rested on 4 elephant, 8 lions and 16 Demons. Other deities are Bala Dakshina moorthy, Durgai, Lakshmi devi, Vanni maram of stone and a small well, and Navagraha.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The day we visited the temple we were lucky to have darshan of Meenakshi sundareswarar in golden charriot
   
   
   
2. Pudhu Mandapam:
   
   
   
   This mandapam is seen in front of Meenakshi temple main Gopuram. There are pillars carved with sculptures is seen. The mandapam is full of stalls inside.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Thousand pilliar Mandapam:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This mandapam is almost like a museum full of stone sculpture which is worth having a look. The whole thing is so beautiful no words to express. The pillars are in a straight line and the mandapam is designed in such a way it looks like a charriot pulled by elephant. I have posted the photos of the sculptures of this mandapam.

Our trip was to temples in Mahabub nagar District. All the temples which, we visited were shifted from near by villages to the present location. It’s not only the deity, but the whole structure of the temple is shifted. No words to appreciate the work done. All temples belong to Kakathiya period of 12th century. Every temple construction is of stone.

1. Madhava swamy temple:
   
   
   Location: Kollapur of Mahabub nagar district, Andhara Pradesh.
   
   
   Route: Hyderabad, Jadcherla, Nagarkarnool, Kollapur and Jataprolu is one route. The other one is Karnool, Pebair, Jataprolu, Somasilla and Kollpur. The distance is about nearly 180 kms from Hyderabad.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Lord Krishna known as Madhava perumal.
   
   
   The complete structure of the temple is shifted from near by village to Kollapur which was feared to submerge in water. When somasilla project was under taken, it was shifted to this place, 25 years back from its original place.
   
   
   We see a huge gopuram with full of sculpture and huge front door. As we enter we see a stone pillar in front of the dwajasthambam full of sculpture. There is a small sanctum for garudazwar and Mandapam with pillars is seen. Radha, Rukmani and Madhava perumal is seen in main sanctum. Beautiful sculpture is to the celing of mandapm.
   
   
   
2. Somasilla:
   
   
   Someswra swamy and his consort Goddess Lalitha.
   
   
   Distance: This place is 8kms from Kollapur.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity: Someswara swamy is surrounded by 12 jyothir lingas here.
   The complete temple is stone structure. Endowment board has taken the temples.
   If proper care is taken it can become good tourist spot.
   
   
   As we enter inside we see Veerabadharar to right. It’s a huge mandapam with pillars and we see eight jyothirlingas in different sanctum. Mahishasura mardhini sculpture is seen, they say if one keeps jaggery near the goddess and pray they are bestowed with child.
   
   
   Goddess Lalitha is outside the mandapam to the side in different sanctum. We see Srichakra of stone in front of Lalitha matha. As we go around the main sanctum we see the other 4 jyothir lingas. It’s really exiting, to have the darshan of all 12 jyothir lingas in one place.
   
   
   
   
3. Jataprolu: Madhana Gopala swamy.
   
   
   Distance: This place is about 6kms from Somasilla.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity: Venu madhavar along with Radha and Rukmani about 5’ height.
   The place is where Jatayu fought with Ravana while he kidnapped Sita.
   
   
   This temple is also, shifted from its original place. We see medium size gopuram. As we enter, we see Dwjasthambam and big mandapam with pillars beautifully sculptured. Since the whole structure is stone its cool inside.
   
   
   
   We cross two level of mandapam to main sanctum and the deity is Venugopala swamy with Radha and Rukmani. The temple has entrance to four sides and we see pyol to three sides. We see Andal in separate sanctum.
   
   
   
   
4. We see about 20 separate sanctums of Lord Siva which are shifted from neighbouring villages near Madhavaperumal temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   All the temples are to endowement board. They are kept in a vast area which can be maintined in a better way to attract public. It’s to the other side of the road and we have an entrance arch built. We see a tomb sort of thing on which we get the names list of temple deities present in the place.
   
   
   The main temple is Agneeswarar. The deities and the temple are in good condition. The real fact is no one to perform daily pooja to god which hurts us.
   
   
   
   The other deities seen here are Veerabadhreswara swamy, Ramalingeswara swamy, Rajajeswara swamy, Chaturvedaeswara swamy, shambulinga swamy, Visweswara swamy, Bheemaseswara swamy, kaleeswara swamy, Anantha padmanabha Swamy, Gangadhareswara swamy, Bairavar, Sambasiva swamy, Maleswara swamy, Uma maheswara swamy, Madhana gopala swamy, Mallikarjuna swamy, Venugopala swamy, Jateswara swamy and Madhavaperumal.